| Bernadeth | |
|---|---|
 Bernadeth, art byJohn Byrne. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Mister Miracle #6 (February 1972) |
| Created by | Jack Kirby |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Bernadeth |
| Species | New God |
| Place of origin | Apokolips |
| Team affiliations | Female Furies |
| Abilities |
|
Bernadeth is an extraterrestrial supervillainess appearing in comic books published byDC Comics.
She first appeared inMister Miracle #6 (February 1972) and was created byJack Kirby.[1]
The co-leader of theFemale Furies, Bernadeth wields a "fahren-knife" that burns her victims from the inside.[2] As the younger sister ofDarkseid's servantDeSaad, Bernadeth is both notorious and feared by the masses ofApokolips.[3] She was one of the first Furies to be recruited, though Bernadeth hated being led by others. WhenBig Barda left for Earth to be withMister Miracle, Bernadeth joined her alongsideLashina,Stompa, andMad Harriet for a brief period of time.[4]
Bernadeth later returns to Apokolips with the other Furies sans Barda.[5] She views Barda's defection as a way to gain leadership herself. However, Darkseid givesLashina leadership of the Furies. During a mission to retrieveGlorious Godfrey, Bernadeth betrays Lashina, leaves her on Earth, and assumes control of the Female Furies.[6] When Lashina returns to Apokolips with theSuicide Squad, she confronts Bernadeth and kills her in battle.[7] Darkseid is appalled by Lashina bringing outsiders to Apokolips, so he kills her and resurrects Bernadeth.[8] Darkseid later resurrects Lashina as well, with Bernadeth agreeing to share leadership duties.[3]
DuringCountdown to Final Crisis, Bernadeth unsuccessfully tries to stopJimmy Olsen andForager from escaping Apokolips. After they escape, Bernadeth is confronted byInfinity-Man, who kills her.[9]
Bernadeth later appears alive as part of the "Dark Side Club". She created drugs that helpedGranny Goodness brainwash superheroes into fighting at the Dark Side Club arena.[10]
InThe New 52, Darkseid is enslaved by his daughter Grail, leading Bernadeth and the other Female Furies to accept an offer from Big Barda to help defeat Grail and protect Barda's husband, Mister Miracle. Bernadeth participates in the final battle against Grail and Darkseid, which resulted in the pair's defeat. Bernadeth then leaves for Apokolips with the rest of the Furies, including Barda.[11]
InDC Rebirth, Bernadeth and the Female Furies are assigned to seek out mystical artifacts that will empower Darkseid.[12] However, Bernadeth and the Furies are ambushed bySteve Trevor and return to Darkseid. Despite threatening them, Darkseid allows the Furies to live as he decided he had further use for them.[13] Bernadeth later joins in the battle againstWonder Woman andA.R.G.U.S. in theAmazon rainforest, which results in Darkseid's destruction.[14]
At some point, Bernadeth attended the birth of Big Barda and Mister Miracle's son alongside the other Furies. She let Mister Miracle borrow her Fahren-Knife to "cut her as she needs to be cut". Barda assumed this to be a threat, but when the child was born, it left Barda's womb strangled by her invulnerableumbilical cord. With no other options, Mister Miracle used the Fahren-Knife to cut her cord and save the baby's life. Afterwards, Mister Miracle returned the weapon to Bernadeth, thanking her. She replied that she was glad it helped, but that she would use it to kill him when they returned to war.[15] Bernadeth later joinsKalibak andKanto in a meeting with Mister Miracle, Barda, andLightray to discuss a potential peace treaty between Apokolips andNew Genesis.[16]
As a New God, Bernadeth is nigh-immortal and possesses superhuman physical abilities. She is a skilled combatant and wields the Fahren-Knife, a fiery dagger made from Darkseid's skin.
An alternate universe variant of Bernadeth makes a cameo appearance in a flashback inJustice League: Gods and Monsters.
Bernadeth appears as a character summon inScribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.[20]
